The Matrix star Keanu Reeves puts the money-spinning sequels to one side so he can devote his time to his desperately ill younger sister

Keanu Reeves has put his career on ice to look after his dying sister. The action star dashed back from Australia-where he's shooting the sequels to his box-office hit The Matrix - to LA to stay by leukaemia victim Kim's bedside. Anxious Keanu, 37, has said he's prepared to put his own life on hold to support her - and he's been as good as his word. Filming has been put back on The Matrix Reloaded and The Matrix Revolution and he's cancelled planned Asian concerts by his rock band Dogstar.

'She's the most important thing to me,' Keanu explains. 'It puts everything into perspective when you face a situation like this with a loved one.

'She was always there for me. I'll always be here for her.' Kim told Keanu last January that this year might be her last. The 35-year-old horse trainer has struggled with the illness for more than a decade.

Keanu sold his house in Burbank, California so he could spend more time with Kim. He paid out £450,000 on a new home, with a purpose-built equestrian centre, in the LA suburb of Thousand Oaks.

Family friend and scriptwriter Chris Fowler says: 'She's the one woman who's always had Keanu's unconditional love. The guy is knocking himself out. He's waited on her hand and foot, cooked meals, tidied the place and prepared her medication. 'He tried to keep on top of his shooting schedule and he feels immense loyalty to Dogstar fans. 'But it's the family ties that presently dictate Keanu's actions - and the whole of Hollywood is willing him on.' Keanu has returned to LA twice from Sydney in the last couple of months to stay with Kim. 'Keanu's biggest fear,' says Chris, 'is that he might be out of the country when Kim leaves us. That's his worst nightmare.'

Earlier this summer, Keanu paid £17,000 to take Kim and several friends to the island of Capri, off the coast of Italy. 'Everybody had a ball,' says Kim's longtime friend Cathy Kozlow, a guest on the trip. 'Keanu's face was a picture on the flight home.

'His sister snuggled up close to him and whispered: "This is the best I've felt in two years." Kim took Keanu's advice to try yoga. He told her it would help her remain positive - and it did.'

According to Cathy, Keanu has used yoga to help him cope with the numerous tragedies that have struck him over the years. The actor was devastated when girlfriend Jennifer Syme died in a road smash a year ago. Nine months earlier the couple had been expecting their first child, but the baby - who they'd named Ava -was stillborn.

'Keanu has always believed he led a charmed life as a celebrity' a musician friend says. 'But in his personal life it seems heartache is never too far away.

'Kim's condition has deteriorated and it's got to Keanu after she's fought such a long and hard battle. It's like the life's being sucked out of Kim - and he doesn't believe she deserves it.' Postponing a flight back to Sydney, the actor recently flew Kim to France so she could receive innovative new treatment. Cathy says: 'Kim told him: "Go back to work," but Keanu was like: "The hell I will." 'He was absolutely straight with movie bosses and they've been understanding about his predicament.'

Keanu helped to raise his younger sister Kim after his parents' marriage collapsed when he was seven. 'Young as he was, he felt a certain responsibility' she says. Keanu was only two years old when his father Samuel Nowlin Reeves, a Hawaiian-Chinese farmer who trained as a geologist, walked out on their mother, British-born showgirl Patricia.

They last met when Keanu was 13. Samuel was later jailed, serving two years of a 10-year prison sentence for heroin and cocaine possession.

'His dad was never around and his mother had it all to do as the sole breadwinner,' says Cathy. 'Kim was his baby sis. A bond formed and it's never been broken.'

Later, however, Kim reversed the roles - becoming the driving force on Keanu's staff. 'She pushed him on when he felt like quitting,' says Cathy. 'He was struggling at times and felt like giving up. But Kim wouldn't listen. She told him: "You can make it as a star - and you will." Keanu even posted her words on his refrigerator.'

Keanu hasn't given up hope that his prayers will be answered and Kim will somehow find the will to battle on. 'The touching thing is that he's now whispering the same morale-boosting things to her as she said to him as a kid,' says Cathy. Their bond is so strong. He knows he's in the right place.'

Comments

Guest

Cathy Kozlow (2011-10-17 00:13:29)

I am touched by your loyalty and compassion. Good for you for doing the right and GOOD thing. I see your sister has a friend named Cathy Kozlow. I have lost track of my friend with the same name, and would love to find her, We were best friends growing up in Laurel, Maryland. Any chance this is the same Cathy? If so, please let her know that Kathy Holder is looking for her. I am Kathy Wood from West Friendship, Md, on Fscebook. Thank you a million times over.

Guest

Cathy the blabbermouth (2012-12-19 10:04:32)

Something tells me Cathy didn't get invited to any more Reeves family trips after this. Does anyone know how much she got paid to give this "interview"?

Guest

jayanthi (2013-07-02 23:03:42)

If you were constantine at that time, maybe u saved ur sister. She's probably roaming around. U should be happy being an actor. Not everything goes as expected.

Guest

jayanthi (2013-07-02 23:07:28)

My brothers never cared. So, i don't care. You are kind to care for your sister. You do anything for others despite of the circumstances. You are actually Neo,Constantine, Dracula etc.

TO: KEANU REEVES
Hello Keanu Reeves, I've read many articles about you, and Yes!! I am impressed by your simplicity, humanness, and love for all mankind. If you really are, as a Canadian (dual citizen) I have someone, an extraordinary great human being that needs a .0001% nudge from you to move her to the next level. She is 32 years old.
A brief summation of her background.
Sabrina graduated from the University of Berkeley California B.A in Film Studies with Honors Thesis at the age of 21.
She lead the graduating team at the University of Berkeley California and was the speaker at graduation.
Manager @ California Teacher Pathway
Program coordinator SF Youth worker to Teacher Pathway
Mayor's Education and Employment Program and many more.
Currently Sabrina is the co-founder of The Town Kitchen in Oakland California a community-driven food company that employs and empowers low-income youth by delivering chef-crafted, boxed lunch to corporate clients. The Town Kitchen community addresses a need within the Oakland and San Francisco area for locally-sourced lunches, as well as fair-wage jobs and job training programs for local youth.
She takes the lowest salary, she lives a very simple life, she need your help.
In the US the road to success for a female is still under construction even for the very best.
IF YOU REALLY ARE THE PERSON AS ABOVE, EXTEND YOUR HAND, SHE IS A CANDIAN, AND A US CITIZEN. DO NOT BOTHER HER IF ITS NOT THE RIGHT PATH FOR YOU OR YOUR COMRADES. LILA
Sabrina can be found on the web sight as the founder of “The Town Kitchen” in Oakland, California.
Thank you,
With Regards
A good Samaritan who does not have the resources and the connections
Keanue Reeves thank you.